Obama, Harper stay apart on pipeline issue, ink other agreements
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The visiting Canadian leader and the American president on Wednesday remained noncommittal on a controversial oil pipeline linking the two countries but signed a border deal.
Addressing a joint press conference at the White House, with Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper, U.S. President Barack Obama said, “With respect to the politics, look, this is a big project with big consequences.”
Asking for a assessment for environmental impact, Obama said, “We’ve seen Democrats and Republicans express concerns about it. And it is my job as president of the United States to make sure that a process is followed that examines all the options.”
Harper, on the other hand refused to be drawn into any controversy saying, “You can appreciate that I would not comment on the domestic politics of this issue or any other issue here in the United States.”
Harper added that Obama had an “open mind” on the project, but wanted a full assessment carried out. “He’s indicated to me, as he’s indicated to you today, that he is following a proper (process) to eventually take that decision here in the United States, and that he has an open mind in regards to what the final decision may or may not be,” Canadian leader said about the 1,600-mile pipeline that would run from Canada to the Texas coast.
“My position, the position of the government of Canada on this issue, is very well known,” said Harper, hinting at his backing for the Keystone XL plan, which is projected to create jobs in the U.S. and in Canada and to enable oil from the Canadian province of Alberta to reach the world market.
The two leaders announced signing of a trade deal and perimeter security agreement, which would allow easier access to ports and increase harmonization of security checks and procedures at land borders.
“Together, they represent the most significant steps forward in Canada-U.S. cooperation since the North American Free Trade Agreement,” Harper said.
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Iran, North Korea cloud Obama, Lee interaction with press
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – President Barack Obama on Thursday shelved his policy of diplomatic negotiations as he noted his administration’s goal to make “sure that they (Iranians) pay a price,” while seeking to “isolate” Iran — not only over the alleged assassination plot, but over its nuclear program and ties to terrorism.
Addressing a joint press conference with visiting South Korean president Lee Myung Bak at the White House, Obama refused to say explicitly whether he believed Iran’s leaders knew about a plot to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador in Washington, but the Iranians should be held accountable in any event, reiterated Obama.
“Even if at the highest levels there was not detailed operational knowledge, there has to be accountability with respect to anybody in the Iranian government engaging in this kind of activity,” Obama said.
President asserted himself when he replied to one conservative channel correspondent saying, “Well I did not know you were the spokesman for Romney.”
Smiling Obama answered when he was asked if he considered the alleged Iranian assassination plot to be “an act of war.”
The journalist framed his question citing Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney as saying earlier, “what specific steps will you take to hold Iran accountable? Especially when Mitt Romney charged last week, quote, ‘If you do not want America to be the strongest nation on Earth, I am not your President. You have that president today.’”
On the recent nod from U.S. Congress for the free trade agreement with Korea, President Lee said he is confident Korean parliament will ratify the deal soon.
“I am confident that the Korea National Assembly will soon ratify this very important agreement in the near future,” Lee said. “It is a win-win agreement that will benefit both of our economies in countless ways.”
Calling the FTA an “historic milestone,” Lee said the countries have set an example of job creation and economic growth through free trade.
Highlighting the ongoing concern in Europe, Lee noted the global economy’s present challenges, saying, “the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement will demonstrate to the world that we can create good quality jobs and stimulate growth through open and fair trade.”
Obama summed up the agreement effect as, “In short, this agreement will boost American exports by up to $11 billion and support some 70,000 American jobs.”
The occasion was also used by Obama to warn North Korea, saying, “If Pyongyang continues to ignore its international obligations, it will invite even more pressure and isolation.”
“If the North abandons its quest for nuclear weapons and moves toward denuclearization, it will enjoy greater security and opportunity for its people,” Obama offered as a choice for North Korea.
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Raising debt ceiling U.S. avoids “default”; Obama urges Congress to nod trade deals
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The United States avoided the dreaded scenario of “default” on Tuesday and ended weeks of political circus in Washington as both Congress and the Senate passed the required bill raising the debt ceiling of the country allowing the U.S. Treasury to immediately borrow billions of dollars.
The legislations allows for more borrowing later but also aims to reduce the nation’s $14.3 trillion deficit by more than two trillion dollars over 10 years but the concern of rating agencies was still unclear leaving the chances of a downgrade for American credit rating open.
The White House announced during the regular daily briefing that President Barack Obama signed into law debt-ceiling legislation after the Senate passed the Congress approved bipartisan bill with a 74-26 vote on Tuesday before a midnight deadline to get a deal done. The House of Representatives passed the bill on Monday by a vote of 269 to 161.
Earlier addressing journalists at a Rose Garden news conference on Tuesday as the bill cleared the last hurdle of the Senate vote, Obama said, “This compromise guarantees more than $2 trillion in deficit reduction.”
Thanking “the American people for keeping up the pressure on their elected officials to put politics aside and work together for the good of the country,” Obama said, “It’s an important first step to ensuring that as a nation we live within our means.”
“This is, however, just the first step. This compromise requires that both parties work together on a larger plan to cut the deficit, which is important for the long-term health of our economy,” said Obama.
Admitting that the plan would need to include cuts to social programs and taxation on wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations, Obama said, “That means making some adjustments to protect health care programs like Medicare so they’re there for future generations.”
“It also means reforming our tax code so that the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations pay their fair share,” said Obama, adding, “And it means getting rid of taxpayer subsidies to oil and gas companies, and tax loopholes that help billionaires pay a lower tax rate than teachers and nurses.”
Expressing his frustration over the way the political bickering went on for weeks, Obama said, “Voters may have chosen divided government, but they sure didn’t vote for dysfunctional government.”
In a message directed to the American lawmakers, Obama said, “When Congress gets back from recess, I will urge them to immediately take some steps — bipartisan, common-sense steps — that will make a difference; that will create a climate where businesses can hire, where folks have more money in their pockets to spend, where people who are out of work can find good jobs.”
“I want Congress to pass a set of trade deals — deals we’ve already negotiated — that would help displaced workers looking for new jobs and would allow our businesses to sell more products in countries in Asia and South America, products that are stamped with the words “Made in America,” Obama added in his call to Congress.
During the Senate debate, Republican Senator John McCain from Arizona in a statement said, “Mr. President, I support the legislation before us today to raise the debt ceiling and at the same time curb government spending without raising taxes.”
Saying that the U.S. “cannot default on our obligations and this bill prevents that from happening,” McCain said, “Mr. President, this measure represents the beginning — not the end — of what I believe will be a sustained national focus on getting our fiscal house in order. We still have a very long way to go and a great deal of hard work to do.”
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President paints stark picture of state of the union
Barack Obama painted a stark and, at times, grim picture of the challenges facing the US, in education, infrastructure and politics, in an address to Congress leavened with an uplifting appeal to American traditions of innovation, risk-taking and public service
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Obama administration relaxes travel restrictions to Cuba
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The White House continues to relax restrictions against the communist Cuban regime. President Barack Obama has directed officials to allow more flights to Cuba, and will let students and religious groups travel to the island.
According to the Oval Office, “these measures will increase people-to-people contact; support civil society in Cuba; enhance the free flow of information to, from, and among the Cuban people; and help promote their independence from Cuban authorities.”
Americans will also be able to donate more money to Cubans on the island. The new rules will allow for businessmen to send $500 per quarter to non-family members in Cuba.
However, many Cuban-American refugees aren’t happy with the plan, which they say only allows more U.S. dollars into the island, propping up the regime of President Raul Castro, the younger brother of Cuban revolutionary and long-time Washington rival Fidel Castro.
U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) is a refugee from Castro’s Cuba. Born in Havana, Ros-Lehtinen is now the most senior female Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, and chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee. She has been outspoken in her support for the U.S. embargo against Cuba, which she says will help bring down the communist government and return rule of law to the island.
Ros-Lehtinen believes the changes undermine American efforts to isolate Cuba, and won’t help foster freedom on the island.
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President Obama appoints economy team, welcomes jobs report
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – Jobs was the word to watch as President Barack Obama on Friday announced his economic team while touring a window manufacturing company that has benefited from his administration’s economic policies.
Addressing more than 100 workers at the Thompson Creek Window Co. in Landover, MD, Obama said, “Government can’t guarantee Thompson Creek or any business will be successful, but government can knock down barriers like a lack of affordable credit or high costs for investment or high costs for hiring.”
“Incentives like these are helping companies across America,” the president commented, adding “The jobs numbers released this morning reflect that growth. The economy added more than 100,000 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate fell sharply.”
According to the White House, the company has benefited from tax credits since 2009 and expanded. It also has plans for a major modernization and more new hiring, on top of a 40 percent growth in the workforce in 2010.
Defining his administration’s mission as “to accelerate hiring and to accelerate growth,” Obama added, “And that depends on making our economy more competitive so that we’re fostering new jobs in new industries, and training workers to fill them.”
Continuing the “‘major retooling” of his administration to reach these goals, the president announced his economy team, calling them “men and women who will help America fulfill in this mission.”
Obama announced appointment of Gene Sperling as director and Jason Furman as principal deputy at the National Economic Council while Heather Higginbottom got the post of deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget.
In addition, Katharine Abraham was named to the Council of Economic Advisers.
Earlier, during a tour of the window company, Obama stopped at a window framing station.
The president donned safety glasses, saying “so that I don’t violate the law” and watched four workers in blue company T-shirts emblazoned with “Home Sweet Thompson Creek,” frame windows.
Further along the way, Obama stopped at a fusion welder and watched a woman put the side frames for a window into the welder, which then did the rest.
Holding the finished product briefly, Obama smiled and laughed. The tour did not last more than six minutes in all.
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Traveling to Kenya, paternal home of President Obama? U.S. warns you!
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – The U.S. Department of State on Tuesday issued a travel warning to U.S. citizens cautioning of the risks of travel to Kenya.
“U.S. citizens in Kenya and those considering travel to Kenya should evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing threats from terrorism and the high rate of violent crime,” said the warning note.
“This designation is based on reports of Somali-based armed groups known to have crossed into Kenya to stage attacks or to commit crimes,” the State Department stated.
Kenya, the homeland of U.S. President Barack Obama’s late father, is struggling to overcome political and tribal divisions laid bare after disputed December 2007 presidential elections.
Obama visited Kenya three times, most recently very briefly in 2006, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paid an official visit in 2009 during her Africa trip.
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President Obama departs for vacation in Hawaii
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – President Barack Obama departed for his holidays in Hawaii on Wednesday evening after wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
The First Family left for Hawaii left last week and the president stayed back to take care of the official business that lawmakers were considering.
At a hurriedly called press conference, Obama called the usually known “lame duck session” of the legislatures as “the most productive post-election period we’ve had in decades,” adding, “and it comes on the heels of the most productive two years that we’ve had in generations.”
Obama concluded his media rendezvous, saying, “I want to wish you all a merry Christmas. Happy holidays. Happy New Year. See you in 2011.”
President Obama shook hands and wished Merry Christmas to all journalists and cameramen, present at the departure point on the lawns of the White House.
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Obama lambastes lawmakers for shattering Dream Act
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – President Barack Obama on Saturday expressed disappointment over the Senate rejecting the DREAM Act, calling it “an incredibly disappointing vote,” as the vote denies an opportunity for children brought to the U.S. illegally a chance at residency if they attend college or serve in the military.
The Senate voted 55-41 Saturday morning in support of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, or DREAM, Act. However, the vote was five votes too few to break a filibuster.
“Our nation is enriched by their talents and would benefit from the success of their efforts,” noted Obama in a statement, adding, “The DREAM Act is important to our economic competitiveness, military readiness, and law enforcement efforts.”
Citing the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office report, the president said, “the DREAM Act would cut the deficit by $2.2 billion over the next 10 years. There was simply no reason not to pass this important legislation.”
Obama vowed to continue efforts to streamline the American immigration system. “My administration will not give up on the DREAM Act, or on the important business of fixing our broken immigration system,” he said.
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Obama Signs Bill to Extend Tax Cuts and Unemployment Benefits
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – President Obama signed into law an $858 billion tax bill Friday that extends tax cuts and unemployment insurance benefits throughout next year.
“It’s a good deal for the American people,” Obama said during a signing ceremony. “This is progress and that’s what they sent us here to achieve.”
The House approved the measure late Thursday.
The bill passed by a 277 to 148 margin with strong support from Obama, who said the measure is needed to help households recover from recession.
The new law will “protect our middle class, grow our economy and create jobs,” Obama said.
Critics of the legislation – some from Obama’s own Democratic Party – said the reduction in tax revenue from the bill would deepen the nation’s $14 trillion deficit.
They also said some of the tax breaks – particularly for estate taxes – benefit the rich but do little for middle-income and low-income persons.
The tax breaks were enacted during the Bush administration but set to expire on New Year’s Day 2011.
“This bill, the president of the United States believes and I believe, will have a positive effect on the economy,” said House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.). “I will vote for this bill because I don’t want to see middle-income working people in America get a tax increase, because I think that will be a depressant on an economy that needs to be lifted up.”
The Senate approved the same measure on Wednesday by an 81 to 19 vote.
The measure grants unemployed workers in states with the worst joblessness as much as 99 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits through the end of 2011.
It also seeks to stimulate the economy with incentives for consumer spending.
A two-percent reduction in Social Security payroll tax would allow wage-earners to keep as much as $2,136 out of their paychecks that normally would go to the federal government.
The bill represented one of Obama’s greatest bipartisan successes after drawing strong support from Republicans.
In addition, 31 conservative Democrats wrote a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi before the vote urging that it be passed quickly.
“It is time for us to put aside the partisan talking points and accomplish what the American people sent us here to do,” the letter said.
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